2 Corinthians 3:8

How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

How {G4459} shall {G1248} not {G3780} the ministration {G1248} of the spirit {G4151} be {G2071} rather {G3123}{G1722} glorious {G1391}?

won’t the working of the Spirit be accompanied by even greater glory?

will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory?

Commentary

2 Corinthians 3:8 (KJV) Commentary

"How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?"

This verse is part of a passage (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) where the Apostle Paul contrasts the "ministration of death" (the Old Covenant Law, written on stone) with the "ministration of the spirit" (the New Covenant).

Historical/Cultural Context: Paul is defending his ministry against those who might have emphasized the Old Covenant Law. He argues that the New Covenant, brought by Christ and empowered by the Spirit, is vastly superior and more glorious than the Old Covenant, which, while glorious in its own way, ultimately condemned because of sin.

Key Themes and Messages:

  • New Covenant Superiority: The New Covenant is presented as fundamentally more glorious than the Old.
  • Ministry of the Spirit: The "ministration of the spirit" refers to the service and work of the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant, which brings life, righteousness, and transformation, in contrast to the Law which brings condemnation and death.
  • Greater Glory: The glory associated with the New Covenant ministry is described as "rather glorious," indicating a surpassing, greater glory compared to the fading glory of the Old Covenant. If the ministry that brought death had glory, how much more splendid is the ministry that brings life through the Spirit?

Linguistic Insights:

  • "Ministration" comes from the Greek word diakonia (διακονία), meaning service or ministry.
  • "Glorious" comes from the Greek word endoxos (ἔνδοξος), meaning honored, renowned, magnificent, glorious. The comparison implies a higher degree of glory (ἔνδοξος μᾶλλον - endoxos mallon, "rather glorious" or "more glorious").

Cross-references:

Practical Application: Believers live under the New Covenant, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit. This ministry of the Spirit is not about external rules but internal transformation and empowerment to live righteously. We are called to serve in this glorious ministry, reflecting the glory of the Lord (as mentioned in the following verses, 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 3:16 (5 votes)

    ¶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

  • Ephesians 2:18 (4 votes)

    For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

  • Galatians 3:14 (4 votes)

    That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

  • Isaiah 59:21 (3 votes)

    As for me, this [is] my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that [is] upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

  • John 1:17 (3 votes)

    For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (3 votes)

    ¶ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

  • Galatians 5:22 (3 votes)

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,